A car accident can leave you shaken, confused, and unsure of what to do next. You may be dealing with vehicle damage, physical pain, insurance calls, and missed work, all while trying to make sense of what just happened. In those moments, clear and practical guidance matters more than legal explanations.
At Aubrey Givens & Associates, PLLC, our car accident attorneys regularly speak with people who have just been in a crash and want straightforward answers. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you understand what to do after a car accident in Nashville or Madison, Tennessee, so you can protect your health, avoid common mistakes, and understand when legal help may be appropriate.
What to Do at the Accident Scene
Your actions at the accident scene can affect both your immediate safety and any future insurance or personal injury claim. Even if the crash seems minor, it is important to take it seriously and move through the situation in a deliberate, organized way. The following step by step approach can help protect you in the minutes after a car accident in Nashville or Madison.
- Check for injuries and call for help: Begin by checking yourself and anyone else involved for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately and request emergency medical assistance. Even injuries that seem minor should be taken seriously, as shock and adrenaline can mask symptoms in the moments after a crash.
- Move to a safe location if possible: If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to do so, move them out of traffic to reduce the risk of another collision. Turn on hazard lights and stay alert to passing vehicles. If the cars cannot be moved, remain in a safe location nearby until help arrives.
- Contact the police and request an accident report: Always contact law enforcement and request that an accident report be prepared. In Tennessee, a police report is often a critical piece of evidence, especially when injuries are involved or there is disagreement about how the accident happened. When speaking with officers, be calm, honest, and factual. Avoid guessing, speculating, or admitting fault.
- Exchange and collect key information: If you are physically able, gather important details from everyone involved in the crash. This information can be essential later when filing an insurance claim or injury case. Be sure to collect:
- Names and contact information of all drivers involved
- Insurance company names and policy numbers
- Vehicle make, model, and license plate numbers
- Names and contact information of any witnesses
- Document the scene with photos and notes: Use your phone to take photos of vehicle damage, the position of the cars, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and any visible injuries. These images can provide valuable context if there is a dispute about what happened. If possible, make brief notes about the time, location, and weather conditions.
- Avoid discussing blame or arguing at the scene: Do not argue with the other driver or discuss who caused the accident. Statements made in the heat of the moment can be misunderstood or later used against you by insurance companies. Keep conversations minimal and focused on exchanging necessary information.
- Contact a car accident attorney as soon as practical: Once you are safe and have addressed immediate concerns, consider contacting a car accident lawyer for guidance. An attorney can help you understand what to do next, advise you on dealing with insurance companies, and help protect your rights from the beginning. Getting legal guidance early can help you avoid common mistakes that may affect your claim later.
Getting Medical Care After a Crash
Seeking medical care after a car accident is one of the most important steps you can take, even if you feel mostly fine. Many injuries do not cause immediate symptoms. Concussions, soft tissue injuries, and internal injuries often appear hours or even days later.
If emergency medical treatment is recommended at the scene, accept it. If not, schedule a medical evaluation as soon as possible after the crash. Delaying care can allow injuries to worsen and may give insurance companies grounds to argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident.
Prompt medical treatment protects both your health and your claim. Seeing a doctor creates documentation linking your injuries to the crash. Be sure to follow all treatment recommendations, attend follow up appointments, and keep records of medical visits, diagnoses, and expenses.
If symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, neck pain, back pain, or stiffness appear after the accident, report them promptly to a medical provider. Do not assume they will resolve on their own.
Insurance Mistakes to Avoid
After a car accident in Tennessee, insurance companies often reach out quickly to begin the settlement process. While insurance is meant to cover losses, adjusters are trained to protect the company’s financial interests.
Some of the most common insurance mistakes include:
- Giving a recorded statement without understanding how it may be used
- Accepting a quick settlement before knowing the full extent of your injuries
- Minimizing pain or saying you feel fine when you are unsure
- Failing to follow medical advice or attend appointments
- Posting about the accident or your injuries on social media
Insurance adjusters may sound friendly and helpful, but their questions are often designed to limit what the company pays. Once you accept a settlement, you usually give up the right to seek additional compensation, even if your injuries worsen later.
When to Call a Car Accident Lawyer
Not every car accident requires a lawyer, but many injury cases benefit from legal guidance. If you were hurt, missed work, or are facing ongoing medical treatment, speaking with a lawyer can help you understand your options.
You may want to consider contacting a Nashville car accident lawyer if:
- You suffered injuries that required medical care
- Fault for the accident is disputed
- The insurance company delays, denies, or undervalues your claim
- You are pressured to settle quickly
- The accident involved multiple vehicles, a commercial vehicle, or an uninsured driver
A lawyer can handle communication with insurance companies, gather evidence, and help ensure your claim reflects the full impact of the accident. This allows you to focus on recovery instead of paperwork, deadlines, and stressful phone calls.
At Aubrey Givens & Associates, PLLC, we help people in Nashville and Madison understand what to do after a crash and what to expect from the claims process. Contact us today at (615) 248-8600 for your free, confidential consultation.
